Page 25

Frontiers May 2016 Issue

MAY 2016 | 25
The engineers keep images of
the astronauts who were selected to
train to fly the first Starliner flight test
posted on an office wall, reminding
them of the human element involved
in their work. They continue to refine
two cameras and a processor that
will work with lasers to track everything
from the International Space Station to
stars and algorithms for the Starliner,
America’s newest space capsule.
The crowning moment for the
engineers will be watching the
broadcast of the first Starliner flight
that docks with the space station
with a crew on board.
“Of the things that will be shown
on TV, we will be responsible for
them, and it’s really cool to think
about it,” said Matt Beckmann,
Boeing Albuquerque chief engineer
for VESTA. “I’ve tried to explain to
friends and family what I do, but
it’s not easy. They don’t understand
laser stuff.”
Bruce Stribling, Boeing Laser &
Electro-Optical Systems engineer
and Technical Fellow, who previously
worked at the Air Force Research
Laboratory in Maui, Hawaii, heads up
another Boeing team that is preparing
space situational awareness and
advanced tracking technology,
which is similar in purpose to what
Starfire Optical Range is testing, yet
different in approach. Stribling and
lead engineer Steve Hanes work on
a complicated optical assembly atop
an elevated table that holds a wide
assortment of intricate parts.
They share a great sense of
responsibility—their project carries
national security implications.
“Building a strong light processor
is the secret sauce,” Stribling said.
“That’s how we detect real targets
in space.”
Mark Skinner, Boeing Albuquerque
senior scientist, moves in a different
direction when it comes to Boeing
tracking options. He pursues
commercial customers for available
space-awareness data, proposing
that every new commercial satellite
have access to this protection.
Geosynchronous orbit is getting
crowded, putting expensive assets
at risk. Whereas space was once
the exclusive domain of a handful
of countries, more are developing
technology and mulling space
Photos: (From left) Ahead of
a laser system test, Boeing
engineers Bryan Crespin,
left, and Teresa Neudecker
check atmospheric conditions
in Albuquerque; mechanical
engineer Kurt Sorenson ensures
the Compact Laser Weapon
System is ready for rugged terrain.